Biomechanical effects of environmental and engineered particles on human airway smooth muscle cells
Journal article, 2010

The past decade has seen significant increases in combustion-generated ambient particles, which contain a nanosized fraction (less than 100 nm), and even greater increases have occurred in engineered nanoparticles (NPs) propelled by the booming nanotechnology industry. Although inhalation of these particulates has become a public health concern, human health effects and mechanisms of action for NPs are not well understood. Focusing on the human airway smooth muscle cell, here we show that the cellular mechanical function is altered by particulate exposure in a manner that is dependent upon particle material, size and dose. We used Alamar Blue assay to measure cell viability and optical magnetic twisting cytometry to measure cell stiffness and agonist-induced contractility. The eight particle species fell into four categories, based on their respective effect on cell viability and on mechanical function. Cell viability was impaired and cell contractility was decreased by (i) zinc oxide (40-100 nm and less than 44 mu m) and copper(II) oxide (less than 50 nm); cell contractility was decreased by (ii) fluorescent polystyrene spheres (40 nm), increased by (iii) welding fumes and unchanged by (iv) diesel exhaust particles, titanium dioxide (25 nm) and copper(II) oxide (less than 5 mu m), although in none of these cases was cell viability impaired. Treatment with hydrogen peroxide up to 500 mu M did not alter viability or cell mechanics, suggesting that the particle effects are unlikely to be mediated by particle-generated reactive oxygen species. Our results highlight the susceptibility of cellular mechanical function to particulate exposures and suggest that direct exposure of the airway smooth muscle cells to particulates may initiate or aggravate respiratory diseases.

surface-area

energy-production

particulate matter

oxidative stress

human lung

titanium-dioxide

in-vitro

manufactured nanoparticles

air pollution

slow dynamics

ultrafine particles

cell mechanics

mechanobiology

environmental health

nanoparticles

Author

Peter Berntsen

Chalmers, Applied Physics, Condensed Matter Physics

C. Y. Park

Harvard School of Public Health

B. Rothen-Rutishauser

Anatomical Institute

A. Tsuda

Harvard School of Public Health

T. M. Sager

Harvard School of Public Health

R. M. Molina

Harvard School of Public Health

T. C. Donaghey

Harvard School of Public Health

A. M. Alencar

University of Sao Paulo (USP)

D. I. Kasahara

Harvard School of Public Health

Thomas Ericsson

Chalmers, Mathematical Sciences, Mathematics

University of Gothenburg

E. J. Millet

Harvard School of Public Health

Jan Swenson

Chalmers, Applied Physics, Condensed Matter Physics

D. J. Tschumperlin

Harvard School of Public Health

J. P. Butler

Harvard Medical School

Harvard School of Public Health

J. D. Brain

Harvard School of Public Health

J. J. Fredberg

Harvard School of Public Health

P. Gehr

Anatomical Institute

E. H. Zhou

Harvard School of Public Health

Journal of the Royal Society Interface

1742-5689 (ISSN) 1742-5662 (eISSN)

Vol. 7 Suppl 3 S331-S340

Driving Forces

Sustainable development

Areas of Advance

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (SO 2010-2017, EI 2018-)

Materials Science

Subject Categories

Industrial Biotechnology

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Biophysics

DOI

10.1098/rsif.2010.0068.focus

More information

Created

10/7/2017